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The Best Cruise Insurance in May 2024

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Table of Contents

What to look for in cruise insurance

Factors we considered when picking the best cruise insurance companies, an overview of the best cruise insurance, best cruise insurance options, more resources for cruise travel insurance shoppers.

Cruising is back, but many travelers are still reluctant to board ships alongside thousands of other travelers. Cruise insurance has you covered if:

You need to be reimbursed for canceling your trip.

Your flight to the port gets delayed.

You need to pay for medical care if you get sick on board.

You need to fly home in case of an emergency.

Of course, there's much more than just this list that cruise insurance can cover.

No matter the reason you might be looking for coverage, here are some of the best cruise insurance companies available to help bring you peace of mind on your next experience at sea:

World Nomads .

Berkshire Hathaway .

Travelex Insurance Services .

Travel Guard by AIG .

When shopping for cruise insurance, make sure to look for coverage that offers the following:

Trip delay and cancellation.

Medical expenses, including emergency evacuation.

The option to cancel for any reason (including COVID-19).

Adventure activities if you’re planning certain onshore excursions.

Cruise insurance isn’t much different than traditional travel insurance. Any good travel insurance should cover cruises in addition to travel by air or car.

After our analysis, we've determined these are some of the best cruise insurance options available.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

We used the following factors to choose top insurance providers to highlight:

Specifics of coverage: Including what coverage plans include and whether they offer useful coverage and benefits for cruises specifically.

Amount of coverage: Including the maximum payouts for trip cancellation and trip interruption claims.

Cost: We compared prices to determine average costs across basic plans.

Customizability: We checked to see if policies allow users to customize options to suit their specific needs.

» Learn more: The guide to cruise travel insurance

We searched for quotes from several companies for a seven-day trip in February 2023 from the U.S. to Mexico. The traveler was 35 years old, from Georgia, and planned to spend $2,500 total on the whole trip, including airfare.

The average price of each company’s most basic coverage plan was $124. These policies didn't include optional add-ons, such as Cancel for Any Reason coverage or coverage for pre-existing medical conditions .

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Here’s a closer look at our five recommendations for cruise insurance and what makes them unique.

Allianz Global Assistance

What makes allianz global assistance a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Multiple policies are available for international and domestic travel.

Plans offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage for COVID-19.

Offers emergency medical and transportation.

For our test trip, Allianz Global Assistance’s basic plan cost $106, slightly below average.

World Nomads

What makes world nomads a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Adventure activities like mountain biking and scuba diving are covered, perfect for land-based experienced (though which sports are covered varies from plan to plan).

Offers comprehensive travel insurance plans for domestic and international travel.

Larger-than-average coverage for baggage loss and delays.

For our test trip, World Nomad’s basic plan cost $63, well below average. But the actual trip cost isn’t taken into consideration for trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

What makes berkshire hathaway travel protection a top choice for cruise insurance:.

A wide range of comprehensive plans cover cancellation, emergency medical and transportation coverage, and emergency travel assistance.

A cruise-specific plan includes some compensation for cruise disablement and the most emergency medical and evacuation coverage of any of these plans.

There are many plans available, including plans that cover adventure activities.

A Berkshire Hathaway WaveCare cruise-specific plan was $202, quite a bit more than average, but with the most medical evacuation coverage.

Travelex Insurance Services

What makes travelex insurance services a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Three comprehensive plans are available.

Kids-included pricing is available with the Travel Select plan.

There's an option to add accidental death and dismemberment coverage to the basic plan.

The Travel Basic plan from Travelex Insurance Services cost $116 for our sample trip; just below the average for plans listed here.

Travel Guard by AIG

What makes travel guard by aig a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage is available as an optional upgrade on two plans.

A pre-existing condition waiver is also available as an add-on.

Travel Guard by AIG offers a basic Essential plan for $133, just a little higher than average, but adding coverage may raise that price.

Bookmark these resources to help you make smart money moves as you shop for cruise travel insurance.

The best travel insurance companies.

The best credit cards for cruises .

What is travel insurance?

Is travel insurance worth getting?

10 credit cards that provide travel insurance .

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Here are the 5 best cruise insurance plans

Cruise insurance can cover many situations, but you need to shop around to find the best coverage..

A cruise is an ideal vacation for anyone who likes the all-inclusive concept , where you pay one price and have just about everything taken care of, from accommodations to meals and activities. But they also aren't always cheap and a lot of things can go wrong. You could have a flight delay that causes you to miss your departure or be unable to sail because of a sickness. In these situations, cruise insurance can reimburse you for prepaid and non-refundable expenses.

CNBC Select analyzed 19 cruise insurance companies and selected the best plans for various situations. (See  our methodology  for more information on how we chose the best cruise insurance plans.)

Best cruise insurance

• Best for cruise-specific plan: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Best for affordable coverage : AXA Travel Insurance
• Best for adventure excursions: World Nomads
• Best for pre-existing conditions: Seven Corners Travel Insurance
• Best for cancel-for-any-reason coverage: Travel Guard Travel Insurance

Best for cruise-specific plan

Nationwide travel insurance.

The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

Policy highlights

Nationwide's wide coverage for travel insurance allows many different types of travelers to find coverage that fits their needs. Three levels of cruise insurance coverage gives extra options to cruise passengers.

24/7 assistance available

• 10-day review period on cruise insurance policies to make sure the plan meets your needs (not available in NY or WA)
• Most basic cruise plan doesn't offer CFAR coverage

Who’s this for? Nationwide is a top choice for many travelers due to its variety of cruise-specific coverage. The insurer offers three three tiers of cruise insurance, but its standard Universal Cruise Plan should meet many needs.

Standout benefit: Nationwide's cruise-specific plans can cover things like emergency accidents, sicknesses, itinerary changes, mechanical breakdowns and other trip interruptions or on-ship disruptions. The company also offers a 10-day review period on its cruise policies (not available in NY or WA), giving you extra time to look over the policy and ensure it’s a good fit. 

[ Jump to more details ]

Best for affordable coverage

Axa assistance usa travel insurance.

AXA Assistance USA offers several travel insurance policies that include travel interruption, trip cancellation, and the option of cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

• Three tiers of plans available
• Highly rated for financial strength
• Cancel for any reason only available on highest-tier coverage

Who’s this for? Budget-conscious cruisers should consider AXA . In our research, AXA's Silver Plan stood out as the top budget plan for its mix of affordable premiums and essential coverage. CNBC Select also named AXA one of the best overall travel insurance providers .

Standout benefit: AXA's Silver Plan includes the standard coverage you need to protect yourself from delays and cancellations, as well as employment layoff coverage. This benefit reimburses you for prepaid and nonrefundable travel costs if you cancel because of involuntary layoff or you are terminated from your job. You only need to have been at your current employer for one continuous year to qualify, which is generous compared to other plans that require at least three continuous years of employment for this coverage — if it's even included at all.

Best for adventure excursions

World nomads travel insurance.

World Nomads offers travel insurance for all sorts of travelers, from families to solo adventure travelers. Policies are underwritten by Nationwide and offer strong coverage of emergency accident and illness situations, as well as emergency evacuation scenarios.

• Affordable coverage for many travelers
• Coverage for adventure activities like scuba diving, bungee jumping and more
• Lower trip cancellation limits than other travel insurance we reviewed

Who’s this for? World Nomads offers insurance underwritten by Nationwide , geared specifically toward thrill-seekers. The World Nomads Explorer Plan covers over 200 adventure activities and sports. With this plan, you can take part in just about any excursion without fear of negating your coverage .

Standout benefit: The World Nomads Explorer Plan covers baggage and personal items for loss, theft or damage for up to $3,000 and $1,500 per item. Sporting equipment is included in this coverage, so you can bring your golf clubs along on your cruise without worry.

Best for pre-existing conditions

Seven corners travel insurance.

Policies provide missed and delayed tour/cruise connection coverage. Cancel for any reason coverage and pre-existing conditions waiver are also available if you buy your plan within the specified time. ***CFAR and IFAR are subject to certain eligibility criteria and are not available in all states

• High coverage limits available
• Offers group insurance (10+ people)
• Covers Covid-19 illness
• Pre-existing conditions waiver not available for the Economy plan
• Cancel for any reason not available for the Economy plan

Who’s this for? Seven Corners offers a standard Trip Protection Economy plan and a more premium Trip Protection Elite plan. The Seven Corners Trip Protection Elite plan stands out for offering generous coverage limits and an add-on option for cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, which both pair well with its pre-existing conditions waiver.

Standout benefit: This plan's pre-existing conditions waiver for medical coverage applies to plans purchased within 20 days of booking and paying your initial trip deposit. That's a generous window compared to some plans which can require you to purchase insurance within seven to 14 days. If you don't purchase your coverage within the waiver window, this plan only considers conditions existing within the previous 60 days, whereas other plans may look back up to 120 days.

Best for cancel for any reason coverage 

Travel guard® travel insurance.

Travel Guard offers a variety of plans to suit travel ranging from road trips to long cruises. For air travelers, Travel Guard can help assist with tracking baggage or covering lost or delayed baggage.

• A variety of plans are available to help cover different types of trips
• Not all products are available for purchase online

Who’s this for? AIG's Travel Guard Preferred plan comes with a wide range of coverages and a variety of useful add-ons for an extra fee such as pet coverage , wedding coverage and cancel for any reason coverage (CFAR).

Standout benefit: The optional CFAR insurance for this plan begins at 12:01 a.m. on the day after you pay for coverage and ends two days before departure (or when the travel is canceled). This benefit reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost (up to $25,000 maximum), which includes reimbursement for:

• 50% of change fees
• 50% of cancellation penalties for unused travel
• 50% of award travel redeposit fees

More on our top cruise insurance plans 

Nationwide universal cruise plan.

Nationwide's standard Universal Cruise Plan will be more than sufficient for many cruisers. It offers strong coverage for many different scenarios, but if you're seeking higher levels of coverage or are taking a long cruise, you can opt for the Choice Cruise Plan, or the Luxury Cruise Plan, which offers the highest level of benefits.

Trip cancellation and interruption

The full trip cost (100%) is covered for both cancellations and interruptions. This includes canceling because of a Covid-19 illness .

Covered delays of six hours or more (or at least three hours for missed connections) are eligible for reimbursement of:

• Up to $500 per day
• $500 maximum

Medical coverage and evacuation and repatriation

• $75,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
• $250,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage
• $750 in emergency dental treatment coverage

Pre-existing conditions

No coverage for pre-existing conditions that fall within 60 days of your policy's start date.

Notable perks

All of Nationwide's cruise plans, including the Universal Cruise Plan, include cancel for work reason coverage, meaning you may be covered if you need to cancel because of work-related issues, as well as coverage for extension of the school operating session. The Universal Cruise Plan also provides coverage for delayed and lost baggage, which begins to kick in after delays of eight hours or more, as well as coverage for trip delays of three hours or more for missed connections or other trip delays of six hours or more. You can also get reimbursed if your trip is canceled or interrupted because of terrorism (foreign or domestic) or financial default of the travel provider (14-day waiting period applies). Itinerary changes that cause you to miss a pre-paid excursion are covered by up to $250.

[ Return to summary ]

AXA Silver Plan

AXA offers three insurance plans, with the Silver Plan being the most affordable. The Gold Plan has most of the same types of coverage with higher reimbursement limits. Meanwhile, the Platinum Plan is for anyone who prefers premium benefits, such as cancel-for-any-reason coverage.

The full trip cost (100%) is covered for both cancellations and interruptions. This includes canceling because of a Covid-19 illness.

After a 12-hour delay or more, you're eligible for:

• Up to $100 per day
• Primary medical coverage of $25,000 per (covers Covid-19)
• Evacuation and repatriation coverage of $100,000 per person

No coverage for pre-existing conditions that fall within this policy's 60-day look-back period.

AXA's Silver Plan comes with coverage for delayed and lost baggage, including $200 per person for covered delays of 24 hours or more and $750 per person ($150 per item) for lost baggage and items. You can also get reimbursed if your trip is canceled or interrupted because of terrorism (foreign only) or financial default of the travel provider (10-day waiting period applies). If a hurricane or bad weather causes your travel provider to cease services for at least 48 hours, you can be reimbursed for up to the full trip cancellation/interruption coverage. Notably, you must purchase the coverage before a storm is named.

World Nomads Explorer Plan

The Explorer Plan is World Nomads' premium travel insurance plan and covers a longer list of activities than the Standard Plan. You can review the list of covered activities here and decide if the more affordable Standard Plan works for you.

Covered up to the trip cost with a $10,000 maximum.

Covered delays of six hours or more are eligible for reimbursement of:

• Up to $250 per day
• $3,000 maximum
• $100,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
• $500,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage

No coverage for pre-existing conditions that fall within 90 days of your policy's start date.

This plan includes $35,000 in rental car damage coverage (where it's valid) due to collision, theft or a natural disaster. And an accidental death and dismemberment benefit of $10,000. When your baggage is delayed for more than 12 hours, you can be reimbursed up to $150 a day ($750 maximum) for any necessary personal items you purchase.

Seven Corners Trip Protection Elite

The Seven Corners Trip Protection Elite plan has generous coverage limits for evacuation and repatriation and accident and sickness. Seven Corners Travel Insurance plans also cover Covid-related illnesses.

Trip cancellations are covered for 100% of the trip cost and interruptions are covered for 150% of the trip cost.

Trip delays of six hours or more can qualify for reimbursement of:

• Up to $300 per day
• $1,500 maximum
• $250,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
• $1,000,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage
• $750 in emergency dental coverage

Pre-existing conditions are covered if you purchase coverage within 20 days of making your initial trip deposit. If you don't qualify for the pre-existing conditions waiver, there is no emergency medical coverage for conditions existing within 60 days of your policy's start date.

This plan covers baggage delays of more than 12 hours for up to $600 and covers lost, damaged or stolen bags or personal items for up to $300 per item ($2,500 maximum). It also has missed cruise connection coverage of $150 per day for accommodations and meals ($1,500 maximum).

AIG Travel Guard Preferred

The CFAR coverage is available as an upgrade on Travel Guard's Preferred and Deluxe plans. If you don't need this optional upgrade, you could save money on your premium with Travel Guard's Essential plan.

Trip cancellations are covered for 100% of the trip cost (up to a max of $150,000) and trip interruptions are covered for 150% of the trip cost (up to a max of $225,000).

Trip delays of five hours or more can qualify for reimbursement of:

• Up to $200 per day
• $800 maximum
• $50,000 in emergency medical coverage
• $500 in emergency dental coverage

A pre-existing conditions waiver applies when you purchase coverage within 15 days of the initial trip deposit.

With this plan, you'll have coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage or travel documents for up to $1,000. You also receive baggage delay reimbursement for delays of more than 12 hours with a coverage limit of up to $250 per day ($300 maximum). If you miss a connection, you can be reimbursed up to $1,000 for unused prepaid or nonrefundable travel you missed and transportation expenses to rejoin your trip.

When should I buy insurance for a cruise?

It's usually best to purchase cruise insurance shortly after booking. This lets you take advantage of the protections sooner and qualify for certain benefits such as pre-existing condition waivers.

Is there a difference between travel insurance and cruise insurance?

Travel insurance typically covers cruises and other types of travel, whereas cruise insurance is designed to specifically protect you while cruising or getting to your cruise.

Does cruise insurance cover missed ports?

Cruise insurance may cover missed connections, but it's important to read your policy before you purchase it. Each policy has different limits on how much you'll be reimbursed and what exactly you'll be reimbursed for.

Bottom line

Cruise insurance plans protect you in all sorts of situations when something goes wrong while you're cruising. You can be covered for emergency medical expenses, trip delays, trip cancellations or interruptions and more. Shop around and compare providers to find the best cruise insurance policy for you.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every cruise insurance   review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel insurance   products .  While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See  our methodology  for more information on how we choose the best cruise insurance plans.

Our methodology 

To determine the best cruise insurance plans,  CNBC Select  analyzed the offerings of 19 insurance companies and compared them based on various factors. These included the maximum coverage limits, optional coverages, types of coverage, premiums and what the policies cover. We also considered financial strength ratings from AM Best and Better Business Bureau ratings for customer satisfaction.

We based premium costs on a sample cruise with the following details (when applicable):

• 40-year-old male
• Living in New York, New York
• Sailing for seven days in April
• Total trip cost: $2,800
• Destination: Mexico
• Flying to the port of departure

Sample quotes assumed that payments were made on the date of quoting.

Note that the premiums and policy structures advertised for cruise insurance companies are subject to fluctuate in accordance with the company's policies.

Catch up on CNBC Select’s in-depth coverage of credit cards , banking and money , and follow us on TikTok , Facebook , Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

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U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

Cruise Insurance: Why You Need It + 4 Best Options for 2024

Seven Corners »

Travelex Insurance Services »

AXA Assistance USA »

Berkshire hathaway travel protection ».

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Cruise Insurance Plans.

Table of Contents

• Seven Corners
• Travelex Insurance Services

Cruise vacations come with the same considerations as any other trip, including the potential for trip cancellations, trip interruptions, unforeseen medical expenses and even a need for emergency medical evacuation. Add in the potential for unruly weather during hurricane season , and it's easy to see why cruise insurance plans are so popular and recommended.

Read on to find out which cruise travel insurance plans U.S. News recommends and how they can protect the investment you made in a cruise when something goes wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions:

All cruise insurance plans are unique, and some have different coverages than others. However, most travel insurance plans for cruises cover the following:

• Trip delays, interruptions and cancellations: This kind of coverage is essential any time of the year, but especially during hurricane season when storms can impact your travel plans. 
• Protection for medical emergencies: This type of coverage can help pay for unexpected medical bills if you're injured on board the ship or hurt during a shore excursion. You can also choose a cruise insurance plan that covers emergency medical evacuation from the ship or to the nearest hospital.
• Coverage for lost or delayed baggage: Coverage for baggage is important for cruises just like any other trip. This type of insurance can pay for essential items you need to buy if your bags are lost or stolen and don't make it on the ship. 

With each of these protections, a coverage limit is listed with your plan. This means you may get reimbursed for your losses or prepaid travel expenses up to this limit, but only when a covered reason applies to your claim.

One of the main reasons to buy cruise insurance is for medical emergencies. Note that, once you're on a cruise ship or visiting a destination outside the United States, your own U.S. health insurance plan will not apply. The same truth applies if you have government health coverage like Medicare.

You can purchase cruise insurance through your cruise line, but these plans are often very basic with low limits for medical expenses and other coverages. For example, cruise line travel insurance policies often come with just $25,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses and up to $50,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation, which may not be enough.

Fortunately, you can buy cruise insurance from any travel insurance provider when planning this type of trip. By buying coverage from an independent travel insurance provider instead of your cruise line, you get to select the exact coverages and limits you need for the best protection possible.

• Seven Corners: Best Overall
• Travelex Insurance Services: Best for Families
• AXA Assistance USA: Best for Medical Emergencies
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best Cost

Plan is cruise-specific

Get coverage for missed cruise connections and tours

Medical expense coverage is secondary if you opt for lower-tier Basic plan

• Up to 150% in reimbursement for trip interruption
• Up to $250 per person, per day in trip delay coverage ($2,000 maximum)
• Up to $250 per day in missed tour or cruise connection coverage ($1,500 maximum)
• Primary emergency medical expense coverage worth up to $500,000
• Medical evacuation and repatriation of remains coverage worth up to $1 million
• Political and security evacuation coverage worth up to $20,000
• Up to $2,500 in protection for baggage and personal effects (limit per item of $250)
• Up to $100 per day ($500 maximum) in coverage for baggage delays of six hours or more

Travel Select plan offers coverage with pricing for kids included

Customize your plan with additional medical coverage, adventure sports coverage and more

Only $1,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects

$200 maximum coverage for baggage delays

• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of total trip cost (maximum $50,000)
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to 150% of trip cost (maximum $75,000)
• $2,000 in trip delay coverage for a delay of at least five hours ($250 per day)
• $750 in coverage for missed connections (delay of at least three hours required)
• Emergency medical expense coverage worth up to $50,000 (dental emergency sublimit of $500 included)
• Emergency medical evacuation coverage worth up to $500,000
• $1,000 in protection for baggage and personal effects
• Up to $200 in coverage for baggage delays (at least 12-hour delay required)
• Travel assistance services

Provides comprehensive coverage for all aspects of cruising

High policy limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation

Does not offer cruise-specific travel insurance

• Trip cancellation coverage up to 100%
• Trip interruption protection up to 150%
• $1,250 in travel delay coverage ($300 per day)
• $1,500 in protection for missed connections
• Emergency accident and sickness coverage up to $250,000
• Emergency medical evacuation coverage up to $1 million
• Nonmedical emergency evacuation coverage up to $100,000
• $50,000 in accidental death and dismemberment coverage
• Baggage and personal item coverage up to $3,000
• Baggage delay coverage worth up to $600

Comes with enhanced medical and luggage benefits, protections for cruise ship disablement, and more

Cruise delay coverage kicks in after five hours

Baggage delay coverage is only for $200 and doesn't kick in for 24 hours

No option to purchase CFAR coverage

• Up to $75,000 in protection for emergency medical care
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains coverage worth up to $750,000
• Cruise cancellation coverage for 100% of trip cost up to $25,000 per person
• Cruise interruption coverage for 150% of trip cost up to $37,500 per person
• Cruise delay coverage worth up to $1,000 ($200 per day for delays of five hours or more)
• Missed connection coverage worth up to $500 (for delay of three hours or more)
• Cruise ship disablement coverage worth up to $500
• Up to $1,500 in coverage for baggage and personal effects

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer who has covered international travel, travel insurance and cruises for more than a decade. Johnson has researched and compared all the top travel insurance options for her own family for trips to more than 50 countries, some of which have included cruises all over the world. Johnson lives in Indiana with her two children and her husband, Greg – a travel agent who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states.

You might also be interested in:

9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

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Travel Insurance for Cruises

When experienced cruisers are about to set sail, they choose Allianz Travel Insurance to protect their cruise. Why? Because when you’re at sea, small mishaps quickly become major problems. Travel insurance can help make things right.

If the ship sails without you because your flight to Miami was delayed, travel delay benefits can help you catch up. If you break your leg and have to cancel your trip, the cruise line won't reimburse you—but travel insurance can. And if you suffer a medical crisis on board, travel insurance can cover your evacuation and emergency medical care.

Here’s the best part: Allianz Travel Insurance is much more than cruise travel insurance. Our plans can protect your flights, hotel stays, cruise excursions, and just about any other kind of travel. Learn about the options and insure your next cruise, so you can leave your worries at the dock.

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All Your Questions About Cruise Travel Insurance, Answered

By Elissa Garay

Rarely does real life make its way into our fantasies of a dream vacation : palm trees swaying in the breeze, expertly plated meals served at whim, toes pointed toward the horizon on a sun-soaked day at sea. That vision doesn't factor in missed flights, lost bags, or medical mishaps. But life has a way of getting in the way, even when you’re trying to get away from it all. Add in an unexpected curveball like the coronavirus pandemic (and the disease it causes: COVID-19)—which has effectively wiped out cruising, for the near future, at least—and things get even more complicated.

In most instances, you can buy peace of mind in the form of a well-tailored cruise travel insurance policy, which industry experts say is nearly always a smart bet. Not only does coverage insure your financial investment in the case of a hiccup, but it can also help with access to quality medical care on the road, as well as reimbursement for any unforeseen expenses that may pop up in the face of such scenarios. In this primer on travel insurance for cruises, we break down everything you need to know so you can pick up a policy with ease—and then get back to planning your eventual lounge on the lido deck.

What does cruise travel insurance cover?

“A cruise vacation has so many moving parts, including the sheer number of destinations you visit, flights, and hotels bookings. Things can go wrong after you’ve made that final deposit, and without travel insurance, you’d likely lose that payment,” says Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of cruise review and community site Cruise Critic .

While specific policies vary in their coverage—you’ll need to review the fine print carefully before you buy—most offer recourse for commonly encountered issues like the need to cancel a trip (for approved reasons like your traveling companion falling ill, or the involuntary loss of your job) or trip delays and interruptions. “If you miss your initial embarkation of a cruise due to a flight delay or a weather event, such as a hurricane or winter storm , travel insurance could help cover the costs of you getting to the next port of call, so you can join your cruise,” says James Page, senior vice president and chief administrative officer of AIG Travel, whose subsidiaries sell policies designed to cover cruisers.

Other potential problems might include the airline losing your checked bags , getting pickpocketed in port, the cruise line canceling your sailing due to weather or mechanical issues—or, as we’ve seen of late, due to not being able to run itineraries in areas affected by the coronavirus. While the cruise line would almost certainly pay out a refund in cases of cancellation or major itinerary changes, other prepaid expenses not purchased through the line directly, such as flights or hotel nights, would be on your dime without a qualifying policy in place. “The biggest tip is to make yourself aware of exactly what your plan will cover prior to purchasing,” McDaniel says.

Weather is not covered unless it results in the cancellation of or significant interruption to the cruise. McDaniel says that you won’t get a refund if the scheduled ports visited on a cruise itinerary are changed due to bad weather. “Skipped ports would not be covered by travel insurance,” she says, in cases of inclement weather.

How is the coronavirus affecting travel insurance?

When it comes to coronavirus , it’s important to know that circumstances like epidemics and pandemics are not typically listed as covered events under most standard cancellation policies. Also worth noting: Preemptively canceling a trip out of fear for your health and safety is never part of a standard policy. Accordingly, while some insurers honored claims associated with the onset of the epidemic, almost none are paying out trip cancellation claims for travel or policies booked after late January (with specific cutoff dates ranging between January 21 and January 27, according to travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth). This is owed to the rationale that once the outbreak became a known event, risk is assumed by the would-be travelers who book.

“However, there are now some providers who do not consider contracting the virus as foreseen, even during a global pandemic like the coronavirus outbreak,” says Kasara Barto, public relations manager for Squaremouth. “In this case, trip cancellation benefits can still apply if a traveler contracts the virus or is physically quarantined and unable to travel as planned."

Economic-woe scenarios, like having to cancel if you are laid off from your job, or if a travel supplier should declare bankruptcy, are typically covered under standard plans. Squaremouth notes, however, that coronavirus-prompted impacts like travel bans and border closures are not usually covered by standard policies, nor are cases of cruise lines canceling a scheduled sailing (in which case, the cruise companies themselves would be expected to pick up the tab for reimbursement, or to offer a voucher for future travel).

Because of these exclusions, industry experts advise that a “cancel for any reason” policy upgrade will offer some level of protection even if your reason for canceling is based on fear of travel alone. With this more expensive insurance, you must meet criteria like purchasing your policy within a set time frame (typically within 14 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit) and you must also cancel your trip at least two days in advance of departure.

Keep in mind, too, that down the road, in the post-coronavirus world, industry insiders forecast that new virus-related policy inclusions will become part of standard policies. “Similar to how the September 11 attacks led to terrorism coverage to be offered standard on most travel insurance policies, we anticipate that the COVID-19 pandemic will lead the travel insurance industry to offer more policies that include coverage for pandemics, which may cover things like CDC alerts, travel advisories, and stay-at-home orders,” Barto says.

Insurance and medical incidents

Beyond trip cancellation, medical incidents while traveling present another major need for coverage, since it’s unlikely that your regular health insurance covers such expenses abroad. Most ships have onboard doctors, but visiting them isn’t cheap nor is emergency medical evacuation in the case of more serious illnesses or injuries. “Without [insurance], your out-of-pocket costs could be astronomical,” McDaniel says.

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Page of AIG Travel agrees. “Even a short weekend cruise could turn costly if a traveler has an accident or becomes ill, and requires emergency medical treatment or a medical evacuation from sea,” he says, pointing out that travelers are more prone to injury since they often take risks on vacations—like jet-skiing or hiking on unfamiliar terrain —that they might not take back home. “It’s important to ensure the policy you purchase covers the things you may need, such as pre-existing medical conditions or adventure activities,” Page says.

Specific to the coronavirus, should you contract the virus while cruising, “medical coverage availability will vary per travel insurance provider,” Barto says, noting that a half-dozen insurers were offering such medical coverage as of press time. “While some providers are still providing medical benefits for newly purchased policies, others are only covering medical expenses related to the coronavirus to insureds who bought a policy prior to the outbreak.” Coverage in regards to scenarios like being denied boarding (for registering a fever at port or having recently traveled to a high-risk destination for COVID-19, for instance) or being placed in mandatory quarantines likewise can vary by insurer.

Orlando —based travel agent Kelley Lord is an avid cruiser, with nearly 40 cruises under her belt, and she has taken out a policy for every one of them. It’s proven to be a smart strategy: In 2017 alone, her family had to cancel three separate cruises at the last minute, due to medical issues. “We had a 17-night, port-intensive cruise and Europe trip planned for early June that included expensive flights, prepaid excursions, hotels, and the cruise fare,” she says of one incident. “My husband tore up both of his knees in late May playing kickball at the company picnic and had to have double knee surgery. There was no way we could make the trip.” Thankfully, in that and the other two instances that followed that year, “we filed with our travel insurance and were able to recoup most of the cost of the trip,” she says.

Where to buy cruise travel insurance

While cruise lines usually offer their own insurance policies, experts advise looking instead to an independent, third-party insurer. “Travel insurance policies from independent insurers tend to be more comprehensive than those you might purchase through a cruise line,” McDaniel says. “Cruise line insurance is usually secondary coverage, meaning you’ll first need to file through any private insurance policies [like homeowner’s or renter's] that you have before your travel insurance will kick in. This could mean needing to pay out-of-pocket to start.”

Adds Page: “The advantage of purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy through an insurance provider like Travel Guard is that the comprehensive plans may offer additional benefits, such as emergency medical evacuation, which may not be available under protection plans offered through cruise lines.”

In addition, cruise line insurance can be more limited than you might expect. “Travelers who purchase the cruise line’s policy can only insure expenses purchased directly through that cruise line," says Jenna Hummer, former director of public relations for Squaremouth. "Any outside airfare or expenses would be forfeited in the event of a cancellation.”

You can pick up a policy from your travel agent directly through a reputed individual insurance provider (like AIG Travel Guard or Allianz), or via an insurance comparison site that lets you compare plans from various insurers (like Squaremouth or InsureMyTrip).

How much does cruise travel insurance cost?

The cost of a standard policy is calculated as a percentage of your overall vacation expenses—generally anywhere from 5 to 10 percent of your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost, according to data provided by Squaremouth. “The premium varies by policy and provider, depending on three primary factors: total trip cost, age of travelers, and length of travel,” Hummer says. “Older travelers taking long, expensive cruises will most likely be paying more for the same policy as a younger traveler taking a cheaper trip.”

According to Squaremouth, “cancel for any reason” benefits will typically increase a policy’s premium by roughly 40 percent over the cost of a standard policy, and will only cover a portion (up to 75 percent) of the total trip cost’s reimbursement.

When to buy cruise travel insurance

Experts say to buy your travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your cruise —that will give you the biggest window of protection should anything arise before you set sail. Hummer says that coverage for preexisting medical conditions is sometimes available at no additional cost from independent insurers—but only if you purchase that policy within 14 to 30 days of your first trip payment.

Remember that you can’t purchase a policy after an event transpires that leads to a claim (say, after you get into an accident and break your leg), but you can purchase standard insurance plans as late as 24 hours in advance of your scheduled departure. As noted before, "cancel for any reason" policies typically must be purchased within 14 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit.

Though you may never use the insurance you purchase, should an issue pop up, the investment can prove to be of great benefit, both economically and psychologically. Lord says, from experience, “You never know when you will need it, but if you do, you will be so grateful that you have it.”

This story was last published in March 2020. It has been updated with new information.

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Cruise travel insurance: What it covers and why you need it

What does cruise travel insurance cover? And does it pay to buy cruise travel insurance?

The answer is not always clear-cut, as we'll discuss in this guide. But consider this: It's not always smooth seas when it comes to cruising. Even the best-laid plans for a cruise vacation can sometimes be thrown off course by an unexpected event.

You might need to cancel a cruise in advance due to the sudden onset of an illness, such as COVID-19 or the flu. Or, maybe you fall ill during the cruise and need emergency medical attention. Maybe your flight to your ship gets canceled, and you miss the vessel's departure. Or your ship is late arriving in port at the end of a voyage, and you miss your flight home.

In all of these situations, you might benefit from having cruise travel insurance — keyword "might."

Cruise insurance policies vary widely, and not every policy covers every type of mishap. That's why it always pays to read the fine print in a travel insurance policy before you purchase it to know what you're getting in advance.

It's also why you should read this introduction to everything you need to know about cruise insurance. It has many details, but the next time something unexpected happens on your cruise vacation, you'll be glad to be educated and covered by a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

What does travel insurance cover when you cruise?

The typical cruise insurance policy covers a wide range of circumstances that can go wrong in conjunction with a vacation at sea — both before and during the sailing.

For starters, policies often will reimburse you for the cost of canceling a cruise due to a last-minute crisis. They will also often cover costs related to an interruption of a cruise (maybe your ship breaks down, requiring you to fly home mid-voyage ). These two elements are known as trip-cancellation and trip-interruption insurance, and they are bundled into a typical travel insurance policy.

Some policies will also cover out-of-pocket costs related to a flight delay or cancellation that results in you missing your cruise departure (for instance, the cost of catching up to the ship at its next port). Expenses related to baggage delays and loss are often covered as well.

But perhaps most importantly, many travel insurance policies will cover medical expenses you incur while on a cruise. Some will even cover the cost of evacuating from a foreign destination if you are in the midst of a medical crisis.

Travel insurance giant Allianz Global Assistance reports that 53% of all cruise-related "billing reasons" for claims are because of illness for the insured person, while 14% are for an injury. Another 8% are for the illness of a family member, 4% for the death of a family member and 4% for the illness of a traveling companion, among other reasons.

Those percentages include illness and accidents that happen to cruisers just before a trip, making travel impossible. But, in many cases, such claims result from illness and injuries that occur during voyages.

"People often take risks during vacation that they might not take back home, whether riding a jet ski, zipping around on a motorized scooter in a city they don't know well or hiking unfamiliar terrain," James Page, senior vice president and chief administration officer of AIG Travel, told TPG .

Some policies also cover the financial default of a travel provider. In such cases, if your cruise line goes out of business before you sail, you could get all — or at least some — of your money back.

Cruise travel insurance policies don't cover everything. For instance, standard travel insurers generally will not reimburse you for the cost of a cruise you cancel due to worries about an outbreak of an illness. That's true even if a U.S. government agency such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues a recommendation that you don't cruise due to an illness outbreak, as it did during the COVID-19 pandemic .

If you want the ultimate flexibility to cancel for such a reason or any other, you'll want to look into a more expensive cancel for any reason travel insurance upgrade.

Related: Avoiding outbreaks isn't covered by most travel insurance policies

Where to find a cruise travel insurance policy

You can buy a travel insurance policy directly from your cruise line when booking your trip or through your travel agent (if you're using one, which often is a good idea when booking a cruise). You also can go directly to a third-party travel insurance provider or a travel-insurance aggregator site, such as InsureMyTrip or TravelInsurance . Your credit card might even give you some travel protections.

Here's what you need to know about each type of cruise travel insurance.

Third-party insurance companies

Third-party insurance companies that specialize in writing travel insurance include AIG Travel, Allianz Travel Insurance, Travelex Insurance and American Express Travel Insurance.

One reason to use a travel agent or a travel aggregator: They can help you find a policy that offers added coverage specific to cruising.

Related: The Points Guy's guide to the best travel insurance companies

"Many plans now offer benefits that will specifically appeal to cruise travelers, such as missed connection, missed port-of-call and cruise disablement coverage," Stan Sandberg, cofounder of TravelInsurance.com, said.

Missed connection coverage reimburses cruisers for a set dollar amount if they need to rebook travel to catch up with their cruise at the next port. Missed port-of-call coverage pays a benefit if the cruise ship misses a scheduled port of call due to weather, a natural disaster or a mechanical breakdown.

Cruise disablement coverage pays a benefit if the traveler is confined on a ship for more than five hours without power, food, water or restrooms.

As noted, policies vary widely. It's a good idea to compare plans and make sure the one you buy has the elements that are most important to you. One size doesn't fit all.

Credit cards with travel benefits

Some premium credit cards offer valuable travel protections comparable to what you might get from a standard travel insurance plan. For example, the travel insurance provided when you pay for travel with select cards can reimburse you for expenses if your baggage is damaged, you're stranded overnight due to a flight delay or cancellation, or you have to return home to handle a family medical emergency.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card, for example, offers trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, emergency medical coverage and even medical evacuation coverage , among other benefits. And yes, cruise lines are considered common carriers just like airlines.

If you're planning to rely on a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or The Platinum Card® from American Express * (among others) for travel insurance, just be sure to recheck your card's benefits and limits carefully against regular travel insurance. You must pay for at least part — and sometimes all — of the trip with that credit card to take advantage of its protections.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

Find out if your credit card protection includes travel accident insurance or covers preexisting medical conditions, and figure out when it will pay you back. Other questions to ask: What are the coverage limits? Will you have to pay for a foreign hospital bill upfront and then seek reimbursement later?

Cruise lines

Cruise lines often ask consumers booking a cruise to buy the line's own protection at the time of purchase. If specifics about the coverage are lacking, always ask the line for details in advance, review coverage perks and limits; then, compare those to one or two independent travel insurance policies or your credit card's insurance benefits.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Cruise line travel insurance policies sometimes have quirks. Many cruise companies will only offer a travel voucher or credit for future use in the event of a covered cancellation, not an outright refund.

Also, financial default may not be a covered event in a cruise line-sold policy, but it's typically covered with plans from third-party travel insurance companies.

Cruise line policies also can be more restrictive.

"Cruise line insurance seems to have become better and has more widespread coverage than in the past, but it typically won't cover air or pre- and post-travel [arrangements] unless those elements are purchased through [the line]," said Debra Kerper, a Cruise Planners travel adviser from Carrollton, Texas, who books travel and sells private insurance. "This is when private insurance coverage becomes so very important."

How much does cruise insurance cost?

Expect to pay anywhere from 4% to 8% of your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses for a travel insurance policy. That's a wide range, we know, but it reflects the wide range of products out there.

You'll also find some basic plans that cost even less than 4% of your trip expenses, while some super-premium plans that cover just about any conceivable issue can cost as much as 12% of your trip expenses.

Related: What's included in your cruise fare?

All reputable insurance companies will offer a "free-look period" during which you can receive a 100% refund on your premium. This allows you to review the policy you've selected and return it for any reason within the period allotted — usually for a small administration fee of less than $10.

Under normal circumstances, you don't need to purchase a so-called "cancel for any reason" add-on to your cruise travel insurance policy unless you really need the flexibility. The upgrades are significantly more expensive.

You can receive a quote and purchase a policy online in minutes with any credit card. Although you may think travel insurance should code as "travel" when paid on a credit card and thus be eligible for bonus points on certain cards, that isn't always the case. Your points earnings will depend on the individual underwriter's merchant code. When in doubt, expect the purchase to fall under the insurance category for earnings.

Should I buy travel insurance for a cruise?

Whether you buy travel insurance is a personal decision that will depend on many factors. Would you be willing to absorb the loss of canceling a cruise on short notice due to an illness or accident? Could you afford an evacuation flight from a far-off port if you suddenly became seriously ill? Only you can answer those sorts of questions.

Here are some things to consider as you make that decision.

You might not be covered by regular medical insurance while cruising

If you're a U.S. citizen traveling internationally (which will be the case for most cruises), you may find that most private medical insurance plans in the U.S. won't cover you.

Additionally, Original Medicare only covers people traveling outside U.S. borders in limited circumstances.

While certain Medicare Supplement Plans do have some foreign emergency medical benefits, not all do. Be sure to talk to your Medical Supplemental Plan provider to see if you're covered, what's covered, what the limits are and how the bill is paid.

Also note that, in some countries (particularly those in Central and South America), travelers may not be discharged from a hospital until their bill is paid in full.

Related: Trip wrecked: 7 ways to prepare for any kind of travel disaster

Plus, if you have a medical incident overseas, you could find yourself stuck in a shared hospital room without air conditioning or a private bathroom. The level of care may not be what you expect.

"For people traveling internationally, it's crucial to know beforehand where to go for any treatment … and how they're going to pay for that treatment," Page said.

Getting evacuated for a medical condition is expensive

Most airlines won't accept seriously ill passengers, those carrying bulky medical equipment or those requiring a full medical team.

Even a low-cost weekend getaway on a cruise to the Bahamas out of Miami can turn costly if you suffer a serious accident or illness requiring medical treatment or an emergency medical evacuation.

Related: Do cruise ships have doctors, nurses, medical centers or hospitals?

Being flown back to the U.S. from a far-flung overseas location in a private, medically equipped aircraft, with a professional medical team on board, can run between $70,000 and $180,000, according to Mike Hallman, president and CEO of Medjet, a medical transport membership company.

"Domestic transports, which we cover as well, can cost upwards of $30,000," Hallman said.

Without proof of medical evacuation coverage, foreign providers will also want that money upfront. Hallman said that regular travel insurance will typically get you to an acceptable overseas hospital and even to a higher-level care facility if "medically necessary." Alternatively, medical evacuation coverage means you can fly home to your own hospital, doctors and family — without claim forms, cost caps on transports or surprise bills.

The tandem approach — buying both travel insurance and a separate medevac transport membership — is a good option, Hallman said.

"We always recommend travel insurance, as it covers trip interruption, which is important, as well as medical coverage for the hospital and treatment costs," he said. "We pick up where they leave off."

You can't predict the weather

Cruising is a great way to explore multiple destinations in one trip. But it's good to remember that unexpected delays, interruptions or cancellations due to weather can happen during cruises, particularly during hurricane seasons in places such as the Caribbean and Asia (where hurricanes are called typhoons).

During a typical hurricane season (June 1 to Nov. 30), Allianz pays about 6,000 claims from customers whose travel plans in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and southeastern U.S. are affected by the storms, according to a spokesperson for Allianz Global Assistance USA.

If you're hoping to insure against a storm-related disaster, it's good to buy travel insurance as early as possible. Once a storm or hurricane is named, it's too late to buy travel insurance to cover it.

Of course, cruise lines will move ships away from a weather threat. When the port lineup is adjusted or the cruise shortened, the company will offer the guest an onboard credit, onboard gift or future cruise credit rather than any refund. It depends on the circumstances of that specific voyage. You won't be able to make a claim on your cruise travel insurance policy just for a minor itinerary change .

Related: Everything you need to know about cruising during hurricane season

Costs can mount quickly when things go wrong

Even if the cruise line does provide a full or partial refund or cruise credit for an itinerary change or some other interruption, travelers could have to swallow the cost of other travel elements not purchased through the line. That could include nonrefundable flights , prepaid resort or hotel nights, nonrefundable tour fees and more.

Travel insurance can cover those, plus help with flight delays or cancellations, baggage loss or theft.

If a winter storm causes you to miss your flight to where the ship is boarding , "travel insurance could help you get to the next port to join the cruise, so you don't miss your entire trip," Page said.

In fact, 13% of "billing reasons" for claims to Allianz are for common carrier delays (such as a flight delay), while weather and natural disaster-related claims account for about 3%.

The government probably won't bail you out

While cruise ships have medical facilities, they're usually not equipped to treat serious illnesses. If you experience a serious medical problem on a vessel, you may have to get off the ship in a foreign port to seek treatment at a hospital. In such a case, if you don't have medical evacuation insurance, you may then find yourself stranded in that port awaiting a medical evacuation.

Don't expect Uncle Sam to step in and help foot the bill.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs clearly states the importance of buying travel insurance.

"The U.S. government does not provide medical insurance for U.S. citizens overseas," the bureau says on the website. "We do not pay medical bills. You should purchase insurance before you travel."

You may need more assistance than you think

If you're injured or become severely ill during a cruise, especially in a foreign country, it may be difficult to access help without the assistance of trained professionals that comes with many insurance plans.

Many travel insurance companies provide around-the-clock assistance with locating overseas clinics and pharmacies, getting to a doctor or hospital, refilling lost or depleted prescriptions, assisting with up-front payments to hospitals, and arranging flight changes so you can get home.

Travel insurance companies also can arrange for an air ambulance, a nurse escort, oxygen and a lie-flat seat on a flight home if your medical condition warrants it.

You want to be careful if you have preexisting conditions

When you cruise, it's important to be fully covered, which means having comprehensive medical coverage that includes any preexisting conditions. Otherwise, if you head into a doctor's office overseas, have any tests completed, or visit an urgent care center or emergency room, you might not be covered.

Here, timing is extremely important. Cruisers seeking coverage of preexisting conditions, as well as cancel for any reason insurance, generally must book within seven to 21 days of the first payment they make for a trip. The timing varies by insurer.

Bottom line

Cruise insurance isn't for every traveler — or even for every sailing. It's not inexpensive. However, it can bring a lot of peace of mind if you're about to head out to sea. Do your homework, compare plans and always assess the risks.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
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• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

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The Best Cruise Insurance Plans (May 2024)

Sarah Horvath is one of the home service industry’s most accomplished writers. Her specialties include writing about home warranties, insurance, home improvement and household finances. You can find her writing published through distributors like HouseMethod, Architectural Digest, Good Housekeeping and more. When not writing, she enjoys spending time in her home in Orlando with her fiance and parrot.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Based on the Marketwatch Guides analysis of over 70 travel insurance policies , Nationwide offers the best cruise insurance plan.

Cruise insurance can help protect your vacation by reimbursing prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you’re forced to cancel. It can also cover additional expenses you incur unexpectedly on a cruise, including emergency medical bills and costs related to baggage loss.

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

Companies Reviewed

Quotes Collected

Rating Factors

The Best Cruise Insurance Plans for 2024

Here are our top picks for the best cruise insurance companies:

• Nationwide Travel Insurance: Luxury Cruise
• Faye : Travel Protection Plan
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection : WaveCare ®
• Travelex Insurance: Travel Basic
• AXA Assistance USA:  Gold Plan
• Trawick International: Safe Travels Voyager

How We Picked the Best Cruise Insurance Companies

To recommend the best providers to our readers, we looked for the following factors when evaluating coverage options for cruise insurance:

• Cruise-specific plan options: Our team sought out travel insurance providers that offer cruise-specific plans with coverages not found on standard policies, such as shipboard service disruption coverage, prepaid excursion reimbursement and more.  
• Medical coverage: This protection helps pay for medical care at a local facility if you’re injured on your cruise. Companies with more generous medical coverage limits ranked higher in our roundup. 
• Medical evacuation: We prioritized companies offering higher medical evacuation coverage, which can benefit you depending on how long and far you are from a port while on the cruise ship.
• Coverage maximums: We considered whether a provider offered higher-value coverage options for travelers planning longer trips or opting for an all-inclusive luxury package.
• 70-year-old couple taking a $3,000, seven-day cruise in Mexico
• 65-year-old taking a $1,200, five-day cruise in the Bahamas
• 34-year-old couple taking a $6,000, seven-day cruise in Greece
• 21-year-old taking a $900, five-day cruise in the Caribbean

The Best Cruise Insurance in Detail

Nationwide travel insurance.

Pros and Cons

Cruise insurance highlights.

• Nationwide offers plans specifically for cruises with benefits such as shipboard service disruption, prepaid excursion reimbursement and missed connection benefits.
• Cruise-specific policies include medical and non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Nationwide covers up to 100% of your total trip costs for a covered cancellation and up to 150% of your total costs for trip interruption.

Coverage and Cost

Plans and Coverage

Nationwide offers three cruise insurance plans with varying coverage limits. Each plan also includes missed connection coverage and reimbursements for itinerary changes.

Add-On Options

Nationwide allows you to add the following optional coverages to your cruise travel insurance plan:

• Accidental death and dismemberment
• CFAR coverage (up to 75%)
• Vendor financial default coverage
• Preexisting medical conditions coverage waiver
• Rental car collision coverage

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Nationwide’s average trip cost is $182.17.

*A.M. Best ratings accurate as of July 2023

• Faye provides policyholders with a comprehensive mobile app and 24/7 customer service, a potential benefit for travelers at sea and restricted to internet-based communication.
• Covers medical and non-medical emergency evacuation, with medical benefits capped at $500,000 and non-medical at $100,000.
• Faye’s travel insurance plan treats COVID-19 like any other illness, including any required care under its emergency accident and sickness medical expense coverage.

Coverage and Add-Ons

Unlike most competitors, Faye only offers one travel insurance policy with the following included coverages:

It also includes other coverage that could benefit cruise-goers, such as a passport replacement benefit, up to $200 for in-trip inconveniences and protection for sporting equipment.

Optional Add-Ons 

Faye offers the following add-on coverage options — though residents in some states such as New York only have access to limited add-ons.

• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) 
• Rental car damage or theft
• Adventure and extreme sports protection 
• Vacation rental damage protection

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Faye’s average trip cost is $298 .

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

• WaveCare® covers up to 100% of your total trip costs for covered cancellations and 150% of your total trip costs for covered interruptions.
• Berkshire Hathaway’s cruise-specific plan offers coverage beyond the norm, including cruise disablement, cruise diversion and river cruise diversion coverage.
• WaveCare® provides coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation up to $750,000.

While Berkshire Hathaway offers various travel insurance plans, WaveCare™ is specific to cruise protection. In addition to the coverage outlined in the chart below, this plan also includes $500 in fixed coverage if your cruise ship is disabled.

If you are going on a high-value cruise and would prefer increased coverage limits, Berkshire Hathaway also offers travel insurance plans designed for vacations with expensive inclusions. Its LuxuryCare plans include additional leisure protections, such as concierge services and up to $100,000 in insurance coverage.

Berkshire Hathaway currently offers the following additional coverage options:

• CFAR coverage
• Preexisting conditions waiver

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Berkshire’s average trip cost is $163.

• Travelex offers some of the most affordable plans of the providers on our list, and allows parents to extend coverage to their children for a slightly higher rate.
• Add-on coverages available through the Travel Basic plan include car rental collision coverage and flight accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D).
• The Travel Basic policy has no deductible and is considered a primary coverage plan.

Travelex offers three travel insurance plans that can protect your cruise. The Travel America Plan, which can cover up to eight travelers, also includes unique protections like inconveniences caused by sporting equipment delays and medical expenses for your pet.

The following add-on coverages are available on Travel Select plans:

• Car rental collision
• Additional medical coverage
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefits for air travel
• Adventure sports coverage

Note that add-on options may be limited for the Travel Basic Plan.

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Travelex’s average trip cost is $242.

AXA Assistance USA

• AXA Assistance’s plans include 24/7 concierge services to help you with travel-related services and emergencies.
• The Gold Plan offers $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, $500,000 in emergency evacuation and 100% trip cancellation coverage.
• Rental car coverage is available through the Gold and Platinum Plans.

AXA Assistance offers three travel insurance plans that you can purchase to protect your cruise. If you are planning sporting or leisurely activities, the Platinum Plan includes daily coverages for lost skier days, lost golf rounds and sporting equipment rentals.

AXA Assistance offers the following optional add-ons for its Platinum Plan:

• Rental car collision waiver

While you can also add rental car collision protection to the Gold Plan, the Silver Plan is not eligible for any add-on coverages.

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, AXA’s average trip cost is $265.50.

Trawick International

• The Safe Travels Voyager plan, marketed as Trawick’s most popular cruise insurance coverage, includes 30 covered reasons for trip cancellation.
• Trawick offers various optional add-on benefits, such as CFAR coverage, 24-hour AD&D, trip interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage and more.
• Trawick provides a stipend for a hospital companion to evacuate with you during a medical emergency.

Trawick has three options for annual cruise insurance, with each plan offering coverage for up to 30 days per trip.

Trawick Travel Insurance does not currently offer add-ons for its annual cruise policies.

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Trawick’s average trip cost is $208.41.

How To Shop For Cruise Insurance

According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) 2023 State of the Cruise Industry Report , cruising continues to be one of the fastest-growing sectors of tourism, with a projected 36 million people choosing a cruise vacation in 2024. While purchasing travel insurance to cover your cruise vacation is a personal decision, there are some coverages to look for that can enhance your policy.

If you’re worried about illnesses or potential injuries during your cruise, travel medical insurance covers medical expenses up to a maximum amount. This coverage is worth considering if you’re cruising abroad, as domestic healthcare may provide limited to no coverage out of the country. If you’re worried about suffering a medical emergency and requiring transport to a hospital while at sea, it is important to also have emergency medical evacuation coverage.

Trip cancellation insurance and interruption coverage can reimburse you if you cancel or cut your cruise short for a covered reason. If you’re concerned about canceling your trip for a reason not listed under a policy’s coverage terms, consider cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage . If you’re looking at plans explicitly marketed for cruises, you may find special benefits like cruise diversion, cruise disablement and prepaid excursion reimbursement.

Other benefits to look for with a cruise insurance policy include travel delay coverage, baggage insurance and missed connection coverage. If you are concerned about pre-existing conditions or COVID-19 coverage, check if a cruise insurance plan offers these protections as you shop for a policy for either at-sea cruise options or travel insurance for river cruises .

Compare The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

*We determined costs by averaging quotes we pulled for four different traveler profiles. Your actual cruise insurance plan costs and CFAR coverage availability will vary.

How Much Does Cruise Insurance Cost?

According to our analysis, the average cost of cruise insurance is $242. However, we found that the cost ranges from $81 to $500 and heavily depends on the total trip cost and age of the traveler.

The cost of cruise insurance can vary between customers. The best way to determine what you will pay for your coverage is to get a quote. According to data from Berkshire Hathaway, you can expect to pay between 5% and 10% of your total cruise vacation price for insurance.

To help you get a better idea of what you might pay for cruise insurance, we requested multiple quotes from the providers in our review using various sample traveler profiles. The table below summarizes our findings:

To calculate costs, we collected quotes for each of the following trips and traveler profiles:

What Affects the Cost of Cruise Insurance?

As with most types of insurance, the cost of a cruise insurance policy will vary depending on your trip and personal details. Some of the most significant factors that insurance providers consider when pricing cruise policies include the following:

• Your age: According to the CLIA, the average age of a cruise tourist is around 46 years old. Travelers above the age of 50 will pay higher rates than younger travelers.
• Total trip cost: Expect to pay more for your insurance if you take a luxury or higher-value cruise trip.
• Total trip length: The number of days you travel likely increases your chances of getting sick or injured, raising your cruise insurance cost.
• Plan type: There are several types of cruise insurance policies. The more protection you need, typically the more expensive your cruise insurance quote.
• Number of travelers: While you can buy a single policy for multiple travelers , each traveler will have their own premium, increasing the total cost of your trip coverage.
• Destination: Destination may affect the cost of your cruise trip insurance, especially when you consider on-shore excursions. For example, if you’re embarking on a cruise to a jungle with adventure-centered excursions, you will likely pay more for coverage than someone taking a cruise to a quiet beach town.

Can You Buy Cancel For Any Reason Insurance for Cruises?

In short yes, you can purchase travel insurance with cancel for any reason (CFAR) add-ons for a variety of travel insurance companies and plans. Cancel for any reason coverage often time won’t cover the full value or price of your trip but if you need to cancel for whatever the reason, it is better to have some degree of coverage and get a partial refund than have to loose out on a trip and the monetary value behind it. Below is a list of CFAR coverage amounts for our recommend cruise travel insurance providers.

Is Cruise Insurance Worth It?

Determining whether cruise insurance is worth it is a personal decision. Cruises can get expensive quickly, so if you’re embarking on a 14-day international cruise that you’ve spent months saving up for, you may prefer to protect your investment. Spending a fraction of your total cruise expenses on insurance can help prevent you from forfeiting the entire cost of a non-refundable trip should the worst happen.

Angela Borden, a product marketing specialist at Seven Corners, noted that “When you’ve made a financial investment in your trip or need to protect your health when you travel, travel insurance is 100% worth it.” She also pointed out that coverage can help you recoup your expenses if the unexpected happens. 

“Travel insurance can also reimburse you if your belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged and you need to replace them during your trip,” she added. “Again, that’s a financial savings you would have missed out on if you didn’t have travel insurance.”

If you are unsure whether cruise insurance is worth it, we recommend getting a quote from our highlighted insurance providers before you set sail.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cruise Insurance

What should cruise insurance cover.

Cruise insurance should provide you with 100% coverage for trip cancellation and at least 100% trip interruption coverage. Your policy should also include baggage loss, trip delay coverage, medical care and emergency evacuations. 

When should I buy trip insurance for a cruise?

While your trip insurance cost might not increase if you buy a policy at the last minute, it’s best to buy coverage as soon as you make your initial trip deposit. Most insurance companies only allow you to add CFAR coverage a few days after you make your first trip payment. If you’re considering this insurance add-on, buy coverage as soon as possible. 

Do I need special insurance for a cruise?

Whether you need travel insurance specifically for cruises depends on the provider. While some travel insurance companies specify that policies provide coverage even if you’re on a cruise, others may exclude cruises from standard travel plans. For this reason, it’s best to check the terms of your coverage before purchasing a policy. 

Some companies, like Nationwide and Berkshire Hathaway, offer cruise-specific protection plans in addition to standalone travel insurance policies.  

What are the benefits of cruise insurance?

There are multiple benefits to investing in a cruise insurance policy. Cruise insurance provides you with money back for nonrefundable trip expenses, which can help you recoup a portion of your costs if you need to cancel at the last minute. Cruise insurance also provides protection when you’re on a boat and visiting international ports of call, with medical insurance coverage and compensation for travel expenses if you’re forced to evacuate during your vacation.

Does cruise insurance include COVID-19 coverage?

Travel insurance policy purchases have spiked since the COVID-19 pandemic. Most travel policies consider COVID-19 the same as any other illness, which means you may be entitled to use your insurance benefits if you’re hospitalized or cannot travel due to COVID-19. However, this also means that the fear of catching a new COVID strain will not entitle you to use your cruise insurance. 

If you’re concerned about the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on your vacation plan, consider upgrading to CFAR coverage.

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• How much does travel insurance cost?

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3 reasons you should get cruise insurance and 1 reason you should avoid it.

Cruising the high seas is a favorite way to explore the world for many. 31.7 million travelers took a cruise last year, according to  Statista , and by 2027, that number is expected to climb to 39.4 million. Cruises are a fun way to meet new people and enjoy delicious food and onboard activities while experiencing new travel adventures.

Check Out: Dave Ramsey: 7 Vacation Splurges That are a Waste of Money

Read Next: 5 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money

It all sounds great — until there’s a problem. What if there is a delay, interruptions, medical situation, or other problems during the cruise? You can always check with the cruise company to see what’s covered on their end and read the fine print. However, cruise insurance might be the answer for most cases except one.

Trip Cancellation, Delays and Interruption

Anything from unexpected sickness to severe weather conditions can interfere with your cruise. “This kind of coverage is essential any time of the year, but especially during hurricane season when storms can impact your travel plans,” per U.S. News and World Report.

Medical Emergencies

Nobody ever plans for a medical emergency on vacation, but it can happen. Health insurance often won’t cover medical costs while traveling, especially internationally.

According to the  U.S. Department of State , “The U.S. government does not provide insurance for U.S. citizens overseas. We do not pay medical bills or unexpected medical costs. We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel.”

So having cruise insurance that covers medical emergencies could save you big bucks.

Lost, Stolen or Delayed Baggage

Not having your luggage on a cruise is not a great way to start a vacation, but having insurance can give you peace of mind. “Coverage for baggage is important for cruises just like any other trip,” according to U.S. News and World Report. “This type of insurance can pay for essential items you need to buy if your bags are lost or stolen and don’t make it on the ship.”

Credit Card Travel Insurance

You may not need to buy cruise insurance if your credit card offers travel insurance. Many cards provide this service, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve card has the best travel insurance overall, according to  AP.

Learn More: 11 Expensive Vacation Destinations That Will Be Cheaper in 2024

Benefits include the following:

Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for trip cancellation coverage

Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for trip interruption coverage

Trip delay coverage is worth up to $500 per ticket (a six-hour delay is required)

Baggage delay coverage worth up to $100 daily for five days

Up to $3,000 per passenger for lost luggage reimbursement

Up to $1 million for travel accident insurance

Up to $75,000 for primary rental car coverage

Up to $2,500 when you’re at least 100 miles from home for emergency medical and dental benefits

Up to $100,000 for emergency evacuation coverage

Buying travel insurance for your cruise can be worth it to help alleviate concerns and with the right plan can protect you if things go awry.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : 3 Reasons You Should Get Cruise Insurance and 1 Reason You Should Avoid It

GOBankingRates works with many financial advertisers to showcase their products and services to our audiences. These brands compensate us to advertise their products in ads across our site. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site. We are not a comparison-tool and these offers do not represent all available deposit, investment, loan or credit products.

3 Reasons You Should Get Cruise Insurance and 1 Reason You Should Avoid It

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Cruising the high seas is a favorite way to explore the world for many. 31.7 million travelers took a cruise last year, according to  Statista , and by 2027, that number is expected to climb to 39.4 million. Cruises are a fun way to meet new people and enjoy delicious food and onboard activities while experiencing new travel adventures.

It all sounds great — until there’s a problem. What if there is a delay, interruptions, medical situation, or other problems during the cruise? You can always check with the cruise company to see what’s covered on their end and read the fine print. However, cruise insurance might be the answer for most cases except one.

Trip Cancellation, Delays and Interruption

Anything from unexpected sickness to severe weather conditions can interfere with your cruise. “This kind of coverage is essential any time of the year, but especially during hurricane season when storms can impact your travel plans,” per U.S. News and World Report.

Medical Emergencies

Nobody ever plans for a medical emergency on vacation, but it can happen. Health insurance often won’t cover medical costs while traveling, especially internationally.

According to the  U.S. Department of State , “The U.S. government does not provide insurance for U.S. citizens overseas. We do not pay medical bills or unexpected medical costs. We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel.”

So having cruise insurance that covers medical emergencies could save you big bucks.

Lost, Stolen or Delayed Baggage

Not having your luggage on a cruise is not a great way to start a vacation, but having insurance can give you peace of mind. “Coverage for baggage is important for cruises just like any other trip,” according to U.S. News and World Report. “This type of insurance can pay for essential items you need to buy if your bags are lost or stolen and don’t make it on the ship.”

Credit Card Travel Insurance

You may not need to buy cruise insurance if your credit card offers travel insurance. Many cards provide this service, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve card has the best travel insurance overall, according to  AP.

Benefits include the following:

• Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for trip cancellation coverage
• Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for trip interruption coverage 
• Trip delay coverage is worth up to $500 per ticket (a six-hour delay is required)
• Baggage delay coverage worth up to $100 daily for five days
• Up to $3,000 per passenger for lost luggage reimbursement
• Up to $1 million for travel accident insurance 
• Up to $75,000 for primary rental car coverage 
• Up to $2,500 when you’re at least 100 miles from home for emergency medical and dental benefits 
• Up to $100,000 for emergency evacuation coverage

Buying travel insurance for your cruise can be worth it to help alleviate concerns and with the right plan can protect you if things go awry.

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There's more to booking a cruise than picking your travel dates. Here's what to know.

Cruises could be considered one-stop shopping for travelers. With accommodations, transportation, food and entertainment all in one, they can help take the complications out of vacation planning.

But there’s more to booking a cruise than first-time passengers may realize.

From the wide range of lines to add-ons like drink packages and excursions that often cost extra, guests can face numerous decisions throughout the process. “There's like a pretty huge difference in booking a hotel upfront versus a cruise line,” said Andy Knowles, a luxury travel adviser affiliated with Fora Travel.

How far in advance should I book?

Booking well in advance will generally yield better rates, but travelers may also be able to find last-minute bargains if cruise lines are looking to fill space ( click here for USA TODAY’s guide to finding cruise deals).

“I'd say most of my clients are booking at least six months out in advance, if not more,” said Knowles.

Should I use a travel agent to book a cruise?

You can book a cruise without a travel agent, but there are some advantages to using one.

Alyssa Griffin, who makes videos about cruising with her husband, Cullen, on their YouTube channel, Griff & Alyssa , said they began working with an agent about five years ago.

“I don’t know why we didn’t get a travel agent sooner,” said Griffin, who has been on “at least” 60 cruises (she also worked as a travel agent briefly from 2018 to 2019).

Initially, she enjoyed coordinating trips on her own and found it easy, but she said consulting an agent “takes the stress out of planning, and they can help offer suggestions and things that you wouldn't necessarily think about.”

They can assist clients with determining which line, ship and destination may be the best fit. And if travelers run into an issue or have a question, their agent can handle it for them – a nice benefit given potentially long customer service phone line wait times.

“They can also get some cool perks, like onboard credit or some will put a bottle of wine or chocolate-covered strawberries in your room,” she added. Most also don’t charge clients for their services as they earn commission from cruise lines.

Knowles encouraged travelers to use an adviser who is an expert in the type of trip they are planning, whether a family vacation or a romantic getaway.

Many cruise lines also have in-house vacation planners who can help prospective guests navigate the booking process. Travelers may be able to find cheap rates on third-party booking sites (though some customers using those have had to jump through hoops when problems arise).

Should I book my flights through a cruise line?

Packages that bundle flights with a cruise are sometimes “very enticing and worth it,” according to Knowles, but they can come with some limitations. “I will say for the majority of cruise lines that you're booking flights through their platform, it just adds that third-party element that sometimes removes things from your control,” he said.

If travelers need to make changes, for instance, he said they would have to go through the cruise line. And while they may be able to list their general preferences, it’s not as easy to choose the exact seat they want on the plane.

Are cruises all inclusive?

That depends. Cruise line fares do include items that are often sold a la carte on land, and you can technically go an entire sailing without paying much more than the ticket price.

But many extras are not part of base fares on mainstream brands, ranging from alcoholic drinks to laundry, so you can rack up quite a few additional charges depending on your priorities. That's where packages come in handy, and higher stateroom categories often include more perks.

Luxury and river cruise lines also tend to bundle more in their base fares, though policies vary.

Do I need restaurant reservations?

Not necessarily. Mainstream cruise lines historically offered an early or late seating in their dining rooms, but many have introduced flexible mealtimes in recent years and often have a number of casual walk-up venues open for dinner as well. Some lines don’t have traditional dining rooms at all.

But if you want to eat at specialty restaurants, which typically come at an extra charge, you’ll likely want reservations. Passengers may be able to make a last-minute booking, but it’s worth doing before the cruise.

“I always recommend booking those ahead of time just to have something locked in,” Knowles said. Reservations typically open 30 to 60 days before departure.

If guests change their mind, it’s fairly simple to make changes “so you’re not necessarily locked into one spot.” They can typically do so via the cruise line’s app.

The newer, the better: What to know about taking a cruise with a mobility device

When should I book excursions?

The same goes for excursions. “I always point folks towards, if there’s one specific tour that (clients are) like, ‘This is something that we absolutely want and need to do,’ that it's always best to book that as far out as you can, just to make sure that you have it available,” Knowles said.

That said, cruise lines typically offer “a pretty large handful of experiences in each location,” and he hasn’t had any clients board to find all the excursions sold out.

Are tips included in my cruise fare?

Mainstream cruise lines charge passengers for gratuities on a per person, per day basis. The cost is automatically added to their onboard account, and passengers can generally adjust them before disembarking.

Passengers can also pay their gratuities in advance. Many higher-end lines include tips in the fare automatically.

Should I prepay for extras?

Guests can buy add-ons like Wi-Fi or drink packages during the cruise, but they may be sold at a cheaper rate ahead of time. Knowles said there is typically “going to be some incentive to booking beforehand.”

“So, if you were booking a bar package, something that might be $250 on board, you'll pay maybe $200 up front for,” he said. If you know you want to book one at some point, he recommended pulling the trigger sooner than later.

Griffin echoed that, and said the convenience is also nice. “I am one to just want to get on the ship and not worry about how much money I’m spending once I get there,” she said. “So, if you've already established all those things ahead of time, it feels more like an all-inclusive vacation.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

FinanceBuzz

8 Reasons It’s Worth It To Buy Travel Insurance (And 6 Times To Skip It)

Posted: July 12, 2023 | Last updated: April 7, 2024

Life is full of unexpected events and complications, and that doesn’t stop just because you’re traveling. If anything, travel may have even more surprises than your day-to-day life at home.

Travel insurance can help you avoid wasting money if you have to cancel a trip due to illness, need medical coverage while you’re traveling, or send you home for medical reasons.

However, it may not always be necessary and can sometimes be a waste of money. Keep reading to learn when you should and shouldn’t opt for travel insurance.

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Safety net for international travel

The number one reason people buy travel insurance is to cover an expensive trip. And if you’re traveling overseas, chances are your travels will cost a lot of money.

In addition, there are potential complications when it comes to international travel, from losing luggage during connecting flights, missed or canceled flights, sickness, and more.

And if something catastrophic happens in a foreign country, travel insurance provides evacuation so you can get home safely.

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Medical coverage

Getting sick or injured is unpleasant enough when you’re in the comfort of your home, but it’s a new beast entirely when you’re abroad.

Generally, you can expect basic medical expenses to be covered through your travel plan, often including dental. Medicare will not cover medical expenses in a foreign country. If you’re traveling overseas, travel insurance for potential medical costs is worthwhile.

Cover rental car mishaps

Renting a car is a great way to get around when traveling because you can explore a place on your own. Using taxis or ride-share services may cost more money. However, even the best drivers make mistakes, and no one can protect themselves from reckless drivers.

Your U.S. car insurance won’t cover you when driving in a foreign country. So choosing the car-rental insurance option when you buy travel insurance may be a good move.

Be aware that most travel insurance rental-car plans cover collisions and may not cover medical expenses, damages to other cars or property, or personal property damage or loss.

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Pre-existing conditions often aren’t covered

Unfortunately, as with many health insurance plans, travel insurance often won’t cover pre-existing conditions. Travel health insurance is usually meant for unforeseen illnesses or injuries instead of complications due to an existing medical issue.

Even travel insurance companies that cover pre-existing issues often only cover physical maladies and exclude mental conditions and typical pregnancy-related symptoms and complications.

Protect lost luggage

A big fear for travelers is losing their luggage, either having it not arrive at the destination or stolen during their trip. Most airlines will offer reimbursement for luggage they lose, but it can take quite a while for this to process.

Travel insurance will cover the cost of replacing your clothing and other items while you wait for your luggage to be located and can also cover theft and damage.

Cover valuable items and gear

You should consider buying travel insurance if you’re traveling with valuables, including expensive jewelry, art, or even pricey sporting or adventure gear.

You’ll need to talk to the insurance agency specifically about covering your valuables, as they may need to be insured separately. Depending on your homeowners insurance policy, your jewelry may be covered even when you travel.

Sporting goods, including golf clubs, will not be covered by your homeowners insurance if you’re traveling, so you will need travel insurance to replace them if they’re lost, damaged, or stolen.

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Emergencies happen

While we do our best to prepare for the worst-case scenario, we can’t stop life from happening. Things like medical emergencies, a death in the family, or other catastrophes can halt your travel plans.

If you have travel insurance, rescheduling or cancellation fees will be covered, allowing you to deal with the emergency at your own pace. You won’t have to worry about losing the money spent on the trip and subsequent fees.

Natural disaster coverage

Are you planning a fall trip to the Gulf Coast or Florida? Consider your travel destination and the time of year you're going.

If you’re visiting someplace prone to natural disasters, especially seasonal occurrences like tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and such, travel insurance can help you recoup your money should these events interrupt your travel plans.

Similarly, if a natural disaster occurs during your trip, often, insurance will pay to move you to a more secure location.

Extreme adventures may not be covered

Your insurance will most likely cover typical travel-related injuries but don't expect your medical bills to be covered if your itinerary involves extreme adventures or dangerous exploits.

Surfing, sailing, kayaking, bungee jumping, scuba diving, skiing, snowboarding, and other extreme sports do not fall into everyday illnesses or injuries. For these activities, consider getting a specific plan for adventure activities.

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Shaky travel companies

If you booked your trip through a travel company and it goes bankrupt, travel insurance may provide a safety net to ensure you get your money back.

Airlines, cruise ships, travel companies, and other travel-related businesses suffered during the pandemic, and many may not be on solid financial ground yet.

This may not be covered in a basic insurance plan, so make sure your agent adds financial default coverage if you are concerned about the health of your travel provider. 

In the situation any company or organization closes or is otherwise inoperable during your trip, you’ll be covered.

Now let’s look at times you may not need travel insurance.

Your credit card offers travel protections

Before purchasing travel insurance, consider which credit card you have. Many of the top credit cards  offer travel protections.

Some protections you may already have include lost luggage, rental car insurance, trip delay, and trip interruption or cancellation.

Credit card programs often don’t cover medical or other interruptions, so consider your priorities before choosing this option.

You have a domestic trip

If you’re traveling within the U.S. and its territories, travel insurance may not be necessary. For example, you won’t need medical coverage as your health insurance should be honored nationwide.

Domestic travel is also usually much less expensive. If you’re taking a cheap, last-minute, or nonstop flight and staying at an inexpensive hotel or rental, the cost of travel insurance may not be worth it.

One exception might be a family trip to Disney World. The estimate for a trip for a family of four in 2023 is more than $6,000, so travel insurance might be money well spent in this case.

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Don’t add expense to cheap trips

Not all travel is planned. Whether traveling for work, a family emergency, or just a last-minute vacation, you likely don’t need insurance in these circumstances. Odds are, you’re packing light, and both your flight and hotel are relatively inexpensive.

In these scenarios, the things insurance covers won’t be relevant, including baggage loss, flight cancellations, hotel issues, and so on. 

Not only will these costs likely be minimal, but they can be disputed with your airline or hotel, although it may take a little while to get your money back.

The airline has a flexible rebooking policy

If you’re buying travel insurance to cover the cost of rescheduling a flight, you’re better off purchasing a refundable ticket at a higher price. And some airlines have more flexible policies now.

Many airlines allow last-minute ticket changes and will even help you reschedule your flight within a specific timeframe. The timeframe and policy vary by airline, and you may be subject to a nominal cancellation or rebooking fee, but it will be significantly less than insurance.

Insurance will not cover political unrest

One emergency situation insurance probably won’t cover is war or political unrest. If you’re visiting a location with political tensions and your trip is canceled as a result, don’t expect your insurance to cover the costs.

Insurance companies generally follow the travel advisories the U.S. State Department issued for medical and political situations.

Similarly, insurance won't cover these costs if you have to leave your trip early for safety concerns. Consider your destination's political environment before booking your travel or buying insurance.

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Your hotel may cover cancellations

Many hotel cancellation policies have tiers depending on the booking you make. For example, some may have free cancellation within a specific period, while others charge different rates for rooms booked as non-refundable or partially refundable.

If your sole reason for purchasing insurance is hotel flexibility, consult with the hotel before you book. They may have a policy as flexible as your insurance or can work with you should something unexpected arise.

Penalty-free cancellations for major hotels tend to be around 24-48 hours prior to arrival.

Bottom line

Travel insurance may be pricey, but it’s a lifesaver in many situations. However, in others, it’s overkill and a waste of money.

Every travel situation is different, so consider your specific needs when purchasing. And, if you want more money to cover your insurance, consider these ways to make extra cash for travel funds.

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Why the Amex Platinum Is the Only Card I’ll Use To Book Flights

Carissa Rawson

Senior Content Contributor

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Table of Contents

The amex platinum card earns me the most points, the amex platinum card has excellent travel insurance, amex’s global lounge collection is industry-leading, amex points are my favorite flexible currency, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Although I’m not technically a digital nomad, I fly enough to qualify as one.

With trips taking me on roughly 100 flights per year, I’ve done a lot of research when it comes to booking airfare.

Though I have plenty of credit cards to spare, The Platinum Card ® from American Express always finds its way to the front when it comes time to pay — here’s why.

There are plenty of credit cards that earn bonus points on travel , and especially airfare. However, the Amex Platinum card personally beats out others, despite its $695 annual fee ( rates & fees ).

This is because it earns 5x American Express Membership Rewards points per $1 spent (up to $500,000 per year) on flights booked directly with the airline or via AmexTravel.com .

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card ® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: CLEAR ® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck ® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck ® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

American Express Membership Rewards

If you travel often, you know that booking with a third party , such as Expedia, Priceline, Orbitz, or even an issuer’s travel portal, can save you some money. But it can also lead to huge amounts of headache s if your flight needs to be changed or canceled or if there are crazy delays and you need to be rerouted.

This is because booking through a third-party agency makes them responsible for your ticket rather than the airline, so they need to be the middleman.

Compare the Amex Platinum card’s earning rates to other premium travel rewards cards :

• Chase Sapphire Reserve ® : 5x points per $1 spent on Chase Travel; 3x points on all other travel purchases
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : 5x miles per $1 spent on airfare booked with Capital One Travel,

In order to earn these elevated rewards, you’ll need to book your flights with either issuer’s travel portal, which means you’ll be using a third party. That opens you up to issues in the event your travel plans change, which mine often do.

While the Amex Platinum card does have a limit on your 5x earnings up to $500,000 annually, I’ve never even come close to hitting the cap. This means that I’m always able to book directly with the airline while still earning the most rewards.

I’ll admit that I’m not the biggest proponent of travel insurance . I know that it’ll protect you if you get injured, lose your bags, or have travel delays, but purchasing a policy goes against my “spend as little as possible” ethos when it comes to travel.

That’s another reason why I love the Amex Platinum card and use it for my flights. As a premium travel card, it offers complimentary travel insurance . For it to kick in, I need to pay for my travel with my card and it will apply in eligible scenarios.

What kind of travel insurance is offered? A lot:

• Rental car insurance (secondary)
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Trip delay insurance
• Baggage insurance plan
• Premium Global Assist Hotline (emergency medical evacuation and emergency medical transport)

There are two things that really stand out when it comes to the Amex Platinum card’s travel insurance: emergency medical evacuation and emergency medical transport as part of the Premium Global Assist Hotline. Neither of these has a cap, which isn’t something you’ll find often, even when purchasing a policy.

There is only one exception where I’ll use a card other than the Amex Platinum card to pay for my flights, and that’s when I’ve booked an award flight.

This is because Amex has limitations on its baggage insurance plan for award flights, whereas competitors, such as the travel insurance on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card , do not. In this case, the Amex Platinum card won’t cover lost luggage unless you’ve paid the ticket in cash or you’ve used Amex Membership points for your flight. Other award flights outside of this don’t count :

“Other loyalty programs (i.e. non-American Express) do not qualify on purchases redeemed in part or full or pre-arranged travel cost,” according to the terms of baggage insurance plan on the Amex Platinum card. “An example would be common carrier frequent flyer miles point redemption.”

I’m not a snob about a lot of things, but airport lounge access is certainly one of them. I know that as more credit cards offer lounge access, they can be crowded.

That’s one reason I value the Global Lounge Collection offered by Amex’s high-end cards.

This collection includes a Priority Pass Select membership (upon enrollment), Centurion Lounges, Escape — The Centurion Studio lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Lufthansa lounges (when flying Lufthansa), Delta SkyClubs (when flying Delta), and more.

That’s far more than you’ll get with other credit cards and lessens the chance that you’ll find yourself in a standing-room-only situation.

This is probably not the most popular opinion, but I think Amex Membership Rewards beat out Chase Ultimate Rewards , Capital One Miles , Citi ThankYou points , and Bilt Rewards .

While each currency has their own strengths and weaknesses, Amex points fit my travel style better than the others. Sure, I love that Chase has World of Hyatt (and it’s where I use my points most often) and that Citi transfer to Choice at double Amex’s rate, but Amex has more usable transfer partners .

I’ll be even more unpopular and say that I’ll often transfer Amex points over to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio, especially when they’re offering a transfer bonus . This isn’t usually a good idea, but I spend my Hilton points at high-end resorts such as the Conrad Maldives and the Conrad Bora Bora , where I can easily net 5-10 cents in value per point. That makes it worth it for me.

Other transfer partners that I frequently use include:

• ANA MileageClub : For low-cost business class flights to Europe
• Avianca LifeMiles : For Lufthansa first class
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club : For first and business class redemptions on ANA
• Qantas Frequent Flyer : For cheap Air Tahiti Nui flights to French Polynesia

Beyond transfer partners and the Amex Platinum card, I also find Amex points easier to earn . This is due to a variety of reasons, including their robust lineup of Amex point-earning cards , Amex Offers (upon enrollment), and their Rakuten partnership.

I’m not going to throw out all my other credit cards in favor of the Amex Platinum card — I love points and miles too much ever to let that happen. But there’s certainly a strong case for it sticking around in my wallet.

Sure, it offers lots of statement credits (enrollment required for some benefits) and other perks. But I’ll keep the Amex Platinum card to book my airfare. And it’ll stay that way until someone else can match the high earnings and travel insurance offerings, which I don’t anticipate happening anytime soon.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of the Amex Platinum card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefit of the Amex Platinum card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the trip delay insurance benefit of the Amex Platinum card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of the Amex Platinum card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the premium global assist hotline benefit of the Amex Platinum card, you can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by premium global assist hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

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About Carissa Rawson

Carissa served in the U.S. Air Force where she developed her love for travel and new cultures. She started her own blog and eventually joined The Points Guy. Since then, she’s contributed to Business Insider, Forbes, and more.

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